Bob Roberts and his Spotlight Tattoo are legendary. I know the word "legend" gets thrown around a lot but in this case it's incredibly apt to describe an artist who came up in the craft at The Pike in Long Beach from 1973, was taught by Bob Shaw and Col. Bill Todd, worked with Cliff Raven and Ed Hardy, and pushed tattooing to an even greater level of artistry. Spotlight remains a vigorous shop as well as a tattoo landmark.

David has been spending a lot of time this year at Spotlight. Bob finished up his leg work, which you can check on Flickr. It's a fantastic piece with some great art by Robert Ryan mixed in as well.

And with the leg done, it was time to move on to this back. In September, David began the blog with the sketches Bob had done for the backpiece. The posts then follow to stencil placement, lining, passing a kidney stone (!!), and the latest post shows the start of shading (and notes the soundtrack to that session). I'm loving the comments David adds along with the images. I highly recommend you give the blog a click.

Beyond being a tattoo connoisseur, David is also a player and instructor of old-time fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar. Watch some of his lessons on YouTube.

Going through the tattoo news, I found this "Ink & Stay" promo for the Hotel Erwin. From now until December 30, 2009, the Venice Beach hotel is luring tattoorati with the following:

* a $100 voucher for their "in‐house tattoo and graffiti artist" Norm* Lubriderm lotion and ice‐pack for healing* Bottle of tequila to numb the pain

There's also a $500 bonus if you get a tattoo that says "I HEART HOTEL ERWIN" but don't do this unless your bod is only worth less than a two-night stay. Rates start at around $400/night for the boutique hotel.

Or sleep on the beach and use all the money at Spotlight Tattoo where Norm currently works.

In 1973, learning to tattoo at The Pike in Long Beach, CA was trial by fire. Also known as the "Coney Island of the West," tens of thousands were drawn there for the surf, sideshows, and shooting galleries -- and many came to get tattooed by greats like Bert Grimm, Bob Shaw, Zeke Owens, Col. Todd, among many others. The Pike in 1973 is where the legendary Bob Roberts also got his start, a start to a career that has not only impacted generations of tattooers but beyond to fashion, fine art and pop culture.

I mention this bit of history because, from this starting point and spanning nearly four decades, his experiences inform the collection of over 30 original paintings that Roberts will be exhibiting at his solo showAlive at Canvas Los Angeles.

The opening reception is this Thursday, August 20th, from 8pm to midnight. It will also serve as the official pre-party for the first annual Tattoo Hollywood convention, August 21-23rd at The Renaissance Hotel in the heart of Hollywood, CA.

While the opening is public, there is a large turnout expected, so organizers suggest sending an RSVP to info@canvasla.com to be added to the guest list, as those on the list will be guaranteed entry.